Five Collect All-Region Status from NFCA
William Penn Women's Athletics
Oskaloosa–Five of the best the William Penn softball program currently has to offer received some more recognition as the 2012 National Fastpitch Coaches Association announced its NAIA All-Region teams yesterday.
Right fielder Khyia Lewis (Sr., Ottumwa, Ottumwa HS), southpaw pitcher Jennifer Whitehead (So., Oskaloosa, Oskaloosa HS), and first baseman Brianne Rowley (Sr., Hood River, Ore., Blue Mountain CC) were all first-team picks in the Midwest. Second baseman Molly Miller (Jr., Kalona, Mid-Prairie HS) and shortstop Ashley Stream (Sr., Chariton, Chariton HS) were second teamers.
Entering the NAIA National Softball Championships, William Penn’s right fielder led the navy and gold in most categories, including the big four of batting average (.367, 66-of-180), home runs (17), RBIs (61), and runs (57). The Midwest Collegiate Conference Player of the Year was also best with 140 total bases, a .778 slugging percentage, a .463 on-base clip, and a school-record 31 walks.
Prior to nationals, Whitehead was 24-10 with a 1.34 Earned Run Average. In 220 innings, she struck out 187 batters against 58 walks, while opponents hit just .206 versus the sophomore. The 36 appearances by the MCC’s Pitcher of the Year (33 starts) netted 31 complete games and 12 shutouts.
Rowley was hitting .348 with 16 home runs, 51 RBIs, and 57 runs scored. It is her second career first-team all-region award. Miller owned a .357 batting clip with 28 RBIs and 44 runs scored.
Stream, who was integral in getting William Penn (46-16) through the MCC Final Four Tournament, posted a .347 clip with five home runs, 51 RBIs, and 35 runs scored. Like Rowley, it is her second all-region honor, including a first-team selection in 2009.
The MCC had several other all-region honorees with Grand View’s Emily Gilbert and Ashford’s Emily Whetstone also receiving first-team recognition. Anna Arnold, Dacia Miller, and Ashley Flowers of Grand View were second-team nods, while Liz Hill and Kayley Hakeman of Mount Mercy and Hailey Hall of Ashford joined the Viking trio.
